02/10/10

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ The plan for keeping the lights on across
the Pacific Northwest for the next 20 years will also keep
greenhouse gas pollution to a minimum.

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council is set to release
the latest version of its 20-year energy plan for Oregon,
Washington, Idaho and Montana.

The council revises the regional plan every five years, and it
says that most of the increased demand for electricity can be met
with improved efficiency and conservation.

The plan says the rest _ amounting to about one-sixth of future
demand _ can be met by clean wind power and some low-emission
natural gas-fired plants.

Hydropower still supplies the bulk of Northwest electricity, and
no coal plants are expected in the regional plan when it comes up
for a final vote by the council on Wednesday.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APNP-02-10-10 0558MST<